A commitment to acquire land selectively, build sensitively and sustainably and set benchmarked standards of quality
The Highwood team has a wealth of experience in acquisition, planning and development and, together, we’re doing amazing things with property. Our teams of property professionals are experts in their fields, from acquisition and planning to surveying, project management and other specialist construction services.
We’re proud to be led by a respected founding team of property experts whose drive and integrity has taken us from our inception in 1987 to the award-winning company we are today. Our inclusion on the 22ndannual Sunday Times Virgin Atlantic Fast Track 100 league table in 2018 marked the culmination of our accomplishments last year and the recognition we’ve achieved within this fast-paced industry. In 2019, when we reached our turnover target of £100 million, we received the news that we had been ranked 34th in the 20th annual Sunday Times BDO Profit Track 100, which is a fitting testament to our strong growth and the efforts of our entire team. Our most recent accolade has seen us crowned Housebuilder of the Year at the 2019 South Coast Property Awards and marks our ascendancy over the regional property market. This is all success that’s built on quality and measured by reputation.
Put the names to the faces and meet the team.
NIGEL SHANNON
FOUNDING DIRECTOR
NIGEL MEEK
FOUNDING DIRECTOR & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
MALCOLM MINTRAM
FOUNDING DIRECTOR
STEVE MATTHEWS
MANAGING DIRECTOR
MARK BASKERVILLE
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
SIMON BEECH
LAND & SALES DIRECTOR
ELLIOT LORD
COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR
MARTIN HAWTHORNE
PLANNING DIRECTOR
PHIL PROSSER
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
MELANIE RICHARDS
ASSOCIATE SALES & MARKETING DIRECTOR
GUY HAYWARD
NON EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
NIGEL SHANNON
FOUNDING DIRECTOR
Nigel joined Highwood as a founding Director and Shareholder and assumed responsibility for overseeing the land and planning acquisition for the development programme of the Group. Nigel’s experience in planning gain and the promotion of strategic sites extends to over 30 years.
NIGEL MEEK
FOUNDING DIRECTOR & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Nigel joined Highwood as a founding Director and Shareholder and assumed responsibility for the commercial management of the Group’s business activities, including financial management and asset disposal. Nigel’s experience extends to some 35 years in the commercial and residential property sector.
MALCOLM MINTRAM
FOUNDING DIRECTOR
Malcolm joined Highwood as a founding Director and Shareholder. In addition to his main board responsibilities, he assists in steering the company’s strategic plan and development programme. Malcolm’s experience extends to over 40 years in the construction and land development sectors.
STEVE MATTHEWS
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Steve joined Highwood Construction in 2004 to head up the organisation’s major social housing schemes. Having enjoyed a successful management career with Kier Partnership Homes since 1999, he then moved into retirement living and care home development with the Group. Steve was appointed Construction Director in 2014 with responsibility for pre-construction and operational activities, management of technical departments and the company’s Health and Safety and Environmental policy. He also provides support for the Financial and Managing Directors with regard to Highwood’s ambitious business development programme.
MARK BASKERVILLE
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Mark is Highwood’s Chief Financial Officer and joined Highwood early in 2018 following five years with leading retirement builder, McCarthy and Stone. He started his career at KPMG and has also spent a number of years working in the property maintenance sector. Mark is ultimately responsible for financial stewardship at Highwood and, along with the rest of the Board, helping to drive an ambitious corporate strategy.
SIMON BEECH
LAND & SALES DIRECTOR
Simon joined Highwood in 2008 with a role to secure new land opportunities across the South for strategic development including sites for care, retirement and residential projects. He is also tasked with overseeing the sales of new homes with Highwood’s portfolio, notably for the landmark North Stoneham Park development. With an interest in property that was inspired by his family’s development business, Simon went on to establish a successful career in Land and New Homes within estate agency before joining Highwood.
ELLIOT LORD
COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR
Elliot joined Highwood in January 2016 following a post with international construction group, Balfour Beatty’s Mansell Homes brand and, before that, working overseas in the Caribbean and Canada. In 2018, Elliot was promoted to the position of Commercial Director, heading up Highwood’s Surveying, Estimating and Procurement departments and providing support to the Directors at Board level as Highwood’s growth continues.
MARTIN HAWTHORNE
PLANNING DIRECTOR
Martin joined Highwood in 2019 to lead the Group’s respected in-house planning resource. Martin brings over 30 years’ experience as planner and lead consultant on many major residential developments, large-scale urban expansions, strategic plans, community consultations and masterplans. Martin was formerly Head of Planning – South for WYG and is a member of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI).
PHIL PROSSER
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
Phil joined Highwood in 2008 as a trainee Quantity Surveyor where he continued his studies to gain a BSC Hons in Construction Management whilst working as a QS, before eventually joining the development team in 2013. Phil was then appointed Business Development Director in 2020 and now uses his experience gained on pre and post-contract development to cover new business opportunities, including the arrangement of land and build contracts to clients.
MELANIE RICHARDS
ASSOCIATE SALES & MARKETING DIRECTOR
Melanie joined Highwood early in 2018 as Sales & Marketing Manager at the landmark North Stoneham Park project and, following her success in that role, was promoted to Associate Sales & Marketing Director in September 2019. Melanie brings a long-established career spanning more than twenty years in the residential sales and new homes industry, notably with leading developers, Southcott Homes and Lovell Homes.
GUY HAYWARD
NON EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Guy has over 35 years’ experience in the construction industry; his career in the sector began with John Laing in London before he joined his family business and took responsibility for operational delivery, later reaching the position of Group Operations Director. Guy then joined Balfour Beatty where he spent 15 years developing the highly successful Mansell Homes housing brand, delivering over 3500 homes across the South, in both public and private sectors. In 2015, Guy joined the Highwood team as Managing Director of Highwood Construction and, in 2017, he took on the role of Group Managing Director.
Interested in joining our team?
If you think you’ve got what it takes to enhance our team and grow with us, visit our Careers page and tell us about yourself.